MAKING MENTAL HEALTH
WHO WE ARE
FoundedinNewJerseyin2007,KulaforKarma wasapioneerinusingmindfulnesspractices tohelppeoplelearnabouttheirmentalhealth, calmtheirnervoussystem,regulateemotions, sootheanxiety,managedepression,build resilience,andunderstandhowtraumacauses mentalhealthdisruptionsandsymptomatic behaviors.Sincethen,Kulahasgrownintoa national501(c)3nonprofitorganizationwith programsaroundthecountry.
We believe every human being deserves the space, time, and tools to understand, manage, and improve their mental health.
Our experts provide mindfulness-powered mental healthcare programs through the framework of scientifically-proven somatic practices that will support and serve our clients the rest of their lives.
WHAT WE DO
Kulaprovidesmindfulness-basedmentalhealthcareto children,teens,andadultsexperiencingtrauma,addiction, andmentalhealthconditions.
Weutilizeamedically-endorsedcombinationofawareness, breath,andmovementtotreatallaspectsofmentalhealth: mind,bodyandspirit.Kulaprogramsincluderestorative yoga,guidedmeditationsandmantras,breathingtechniques, andeducationaboutthephysiologyoftrauma’seffectsinour bodiesandbehaviors.
OUR MISSION
Ourmissionistomakementalhealth ahumanrightbyprovidingequitable, inclusive,affordableandaccessible mindfulness-basedmentalhealthcare forourpost-pandemicworld.
Weareaneffective,scalablesolutionto thementalhealthcrisisplaguingour nation. Readaboutthementalhealthcrisis here.
Mental Health Is My Human Right
WHO WE SERVE
Wehaveapassionforunderservedand marginalizedcommunities,fillingthe seriousgapsinourtraditionalmentalhealth systembybringingmindfulness-based mentalhealthcaretothosewhoneedit most:theunemployed,theuninsured,the disenfranchisedanddisplaced,thehousing andfoodinsecure,thoseseekingshelterfrom abuseandviolence,andthosetraumatized bysystemicinjusticeandsocialviolence.We equippeopleinlife’scrisismomentswiththe skillstoregroup,regainstrength,andrebuild theirlives.
WhenyouchoosetoworkwithKulafor Karma,youarealsohelpingmakeitpossible forpeoplewhomayneverotherwise encountermindfulnessorreceiveeffective mentalhealthcaretobenefitfromour programs.
AddictionRecoveryCenters
Schools
Hospitals
CommunityCenters
DomesticViolenceShelters
JuvenileJusticeFacilities
Prisons
JobTrainingPrograms
GrouporTransitionalHomes
Spaceswherefirstresponders
serve:Doctors,nurses,EMTs, firefighters,police,etc.
Tolearnmoreaboutwhatwedo,visit kulaforkarma.org/what-we-do
OUR WHY
WHY MINDFULNESSBASED MENTAL HEALTH?
TIMErecentlypublishedanexpose reportingthattraditionaltherapyand mentalhealthcareisnotsolvingour mentalhealthcrisis.Asseminal traumaexpertsDr.Besselvander Kolk(TheBodyKeepstheScore)and Dr.PeterLevine(Somatic Experiencing)haveshown,trauma livesinthebody.Forthisreason, Kulabelievesthemissinglinkin mentalhealthcareisaddressing traumaimprintsstoredinthebody.
Traumatypicallyisnotprocessedby themind,becausetraumatic experiencesbypassthefrontalbrain (theseatofreasoning)andthesignal goesstraighttotheprimitive amygdala(theseatoffightorflight andsurvival).
Thisnaturalprocesskeepsusalive underunthinkablecircumstances. Yetthesympatheticnervoussystem getstriggeredtofight,flee,fawnor freeze,andthoseunresolved instinctsgetstoredinthebody,down tothecellularlevel.
That’swhyourmemoriesoftrauma areoftenblurryandfragmented,or evenremainhiddenforyears.And that’swhytherapyonlytakeshealing sofar.Traumaisn’tthenarrativein themind,it’simprintedinthebody.
Wehavetensofthousandsof neuronsinourhearts,gutsand throughoutourbodies.Thetrauma experiencetrappedinourmuscle memorycreatesdiscomfortinour bodiestoalertusthatuntilitis released,oursystemstilloperatesas ifitisinimminentdanger.
Thisiswhy,whenleftunattended,we developunbearablefeelingsinour bodies(anxiety,depression,fear, grief,pain,etc.),then,notbeingable toreasonwhyorchangeitwithour thinkingminds,oftenbegintoactout inuncharacteristicways.Thisleads toultimatelyengaginginunhealthy orriskymaskingoravoidance behaviorsthatimpactourhealth, relationshipsorjobs.
It’samyththatmentalhealthisall aboutthemind.Mentalhealth conditionsdon’tnecessarilyarise fromourthinkingminds,they developfromthisbiological processinourbodies.Soitmakes sensetheconditionscannotbe resolvedonlybytalkorcognitive behavioraltherapy.
Cultivatingawarenessofourbodies andthefeelingswithinthem, combinedwithyogamovementsand controlledbreathingtechniques, havebeenscientificallyshownnot onlytoregulateandreleasethe nervoussystem,butalsotoimpact theexpressionofourDNA (addressingintergenerationalor inheritedtrauma)andcreatenew neuralpathwaysthathelpus developnewskills,perspectives,and habits.
OUR WORK IN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS
Throughourextensiveworkinthetreatmentspace,werecognize individualsinaddictiontreatmentfacearangeofcomplex challenges,includingphysical,emotional,andpsychological barriersthatcanimpederecovery.Theroadtohealingisnotjust aboutovercomingsubstanceusebutalsoaboutaddressingthe deep-rootedtrauma,stress,andemotionalpainthatoften accompanyaddiction.
Manypeopleintreatmentstrugglewithemotionalregulation, battlinganxiety,depression,andfeelingsofisolationthatstem fromboththeiraddictionandpastexperiences.Thesemental healthchallengescanfeeloverwhelming,especiallyinearly recovery,whenindividualsmaylackthecopingmechanismsto managedifficultemotions.
Additionally,stressandcravingscan triggerrelapse,makingitharderfor individualstostayfocusedontheir healing.Theconstantbattlewithstress, coupledwithanoftenfragilesenseof self-worth,createsacyclethatishardto break.Mindfulness-basedpractices likebreathworkandmovementcan helpdisruptthiscyclebyproviding toolstogroundindividualsinthe presentmomentandreducethe intensityofcravings.
Furthermore,traumaisacommon experienceformanyindividualsin addictiontreatment,whetherit’s physical,emotional,orpsychological. Traumacanbeasignificantdriverof addictivebehaviors,andwithout addressingit,recoverycanfeel elusive.KulaforKarma’straumainformedpracticesofferasafe, non-judgmentalspacefor individualstobeginhealingfrom theirpast,buildingafoundationof trust,self-compassion,and resilience.
Ourprogramsarenotjustanaddedbenefit;theyareacrucialpartof recovery.Byincorporatingawareness,breathwork,andmovement, KulaforKarmahelpsindividualsintreatmentfosteradeeper connectiontotheirbodies,emotions,andinnerselves.Thesetools empowerparticipantstomanagetheirmentalhealthmoreeffectively, reduceanxietyandstress,andbuildsustainablehabitsforlasting recovery.
IMPACT SUMMARY
MINDFULNESS- BASED MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN
SUBSTANCE USE
TREATMENT
OutcomesfromIntegrityHouseat HudsonCountyCorrectional
OVERVIEW
Stressanddifficultemotionsaremajor contributorstorelapseinindividualswith substanceusedisorders.
Ourscientifically-backedtrauma-informed breathwork,mindfulmovement,and meditationprogramshelpparticipants:
Manage Stress Regulate emotions
Lessen cravings
This presentation summarizes survey data, participant feedback, and research insights.
The link between stress, emotions, and relapse
Stresscontributesto70–80%ofrelapses(Gitnux,2024)
NIDA:Stressandemotionaldysregulationarekeyrelapse triggers
Mindfulnessreducesstressandemotionalreactivity (Chiesa&Serretti,2014;Garlandetal.,2010)
SubstanceAbuseJournal:Mindfulnessenhances emotionalregulation—essentialforsustainedsobriety
SURVEY SNAPSHOT
130 participants surveyed
Setting: Integrity House, Hudson County Correctional
Timeline: After just 6 sessions
KEY SURVEY RESULTS
of participants reported an improved ability to manage stress said they were better able to cope with difficult emotions
experienced fewer cravings would recommend the program to others in recovery
Conclusion: Mindfulness-based practices are a powerful tool in recovery.
Justafewofthemanystatisticsandstudies highlightingtheissuesandrecommending mindfulnesspracticesforrecovery:
In2022,84.2millionadultsand6.1million adolescentswerediagnosedwithamentalhealth disorderorsubstanceusedisorder.[CDC]
Complementaryapproacheslikemindfulnessand yogaareoftenusedalongsidetraditionaltreatments toimproverecoveryoutcomes.[NIH]
Peoplewhoareinvolvedwithsometypeofregular spiritualpracticemayfinditeasiertomaintain recoveryfromalcoholusedisorderorother addictions.Formanypeople,gaininggreaterinsight intotheirspiritualsideisakeyelementinrecovery. [MayoClinic]
Yoga,meditation,andacupuncturearetechniques thatmaybehelpfulifusedincombinationwith conventionalmedicaltreatmentorpsychotherapyfor alcoholusedisorder.[MayoClinic]
Engaginginspiritualpracticescansupportrecovery byprovidingadditionalcopingmechanismsand supportnetworks.[VA]
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
"The breathing exercises help me cope with stress and anger."
"This has helped me a lot with stress and being in jail."
"Mindfulness meditation has really helped me manage my stress."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this class and have learned to connect with myself."
KulaforKarmaisanessentialpartofthesolutiontoournational mentalhealthcrisis,anduniqueinourfocusonincludingthemissing linkinmentalhealthcare:addressingtraumainthebody.
Inthefaceofmonumentalneed,ourprogramsarehavingamore dramaticimpactthanever.Ourmindfulness-basedmentalhealth programsaremeetingpeoplewheretheyare,breakingdownbarriers,and providingdesperatelyneededaccesstoknowledgeandhealingpractices.
THE KULA SOLUTION
Weprideourselves mindfulness-based programsspecifica uniqueneedsofind treatment.Ourpro toaddressthechall thoseinrecovery,s regulation,stressm traumahealing.
Weworkcloselywith staffandcounselors specificneedsofthe uniquedynamicsof collaboratingwithst theprogramswedev effectiveinsupportin throughtheirrecove themthetoolstheyn buildresilience Itallbeginswithac outtoustoday:
JenniCrumptonRos jenni@kulaforkarma 917-456-2222
LISTEN TO SOME OF OUR CLIENTS TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION WITH THE KULA SOLUTION:
Sam Waterston introduces the work and impact of Kula for Karma.
HOW WE IMPLEMENT
Kulaconductstransformative programsintreatmentcenters thatempowerindividualsin recoverywithessentialtoolsto managestressandcravings, enhancesleepquality,cultivate self-esteemandself-acceptance, andultimatelyfindpeacewithin themselves.Thesepractices supportaholisticrecovery process,fosteringemotional balance,resilience,andlong-term well-being.Ourprogramshelp participantsconnectdeeplywith thepresentmoment,learnto self-regulatethroughbreathwork andaccessiblemovement,and develophealthiercoping mechanismsforemotional challenges.Bycultivatingthese skills,individualsareabletomake moremindfuldecisions,build emotionalresilience,andbreak thecycleofstressandnegative patterns.
AtKula,wealsoprioritizeemotional supportbyremindingparticipants thattheyarenotaloneintheir journey.Theyarenottheonlyones facingthesefeelings,andseeking helpisabraveandessentialstep towardrecoveryandself-discovery.
Toensurethegreatestimpact,we offercustomizedclassestaughtby trained,trauma-informed teacherswhoarespecifically placedtoconnectwiththeneeds andexperiencesofindividualsin treatment.Ourinstructorsare carefullyvettedbyKulatoensure theyresonatewiththeunique challengesofrecovery.Wealso providebilingualteacherstofoster inclusivityandbetter communication,ensuringthat everyparticipantfeelsseen,heard, andsupported.
OUR TEACHERS
KulaforKarmaspecificallytrainsourteacherson mindfulnessfortrauma,addiction,andmentalhealth. All RegisteredYogaTeachers(RYT),manyofourteachersalsohave additionalcertificationsinmultiplemindfulnessand breathworkpractices,aswellasdegreesandexperienceas mentalhealthprofessionalssuchaslicensedpsychologistsor licensedsocialworkers(LCSW).
Ourteachersestablishtrustandcreateengagementwiththose weserve,addressingeachgroup'suniqueneedswith compassion,patienceandnonjudgement.Theycreate customized,turn-keysolutionsformindfulness-basedmental healthprogramstailoredtoindividualsandcommunitiesin theirenvironment,andmakethepracticesaccessibletoall.
WebelievetheKulateacherwhoworkswithyourclientsshould reflectwhotheyareinasmanywaysaspossible,sothatthey canseethemselvesinthatbalanced,thoughtful,resourceful person.Weworkwithyoutoselectateacher(s)whobestreflects thepopulationandwithwhomtheclientscanidentifyand connect.Therelationshipwiththeteacherbecomesahealing centerpieceoftheprogram.
Thosewhoteachourrecoveryclassestypicallyhavebeenin recoverythemselvesforalongperiodoftime,deeply understandandempathizewiththejourney,andhaveused mindfulnesspracticesintheirownhealingandrecovery process.
Learnmoreaboutourteachers
